The 25 Best Sneaker Stores in New York City

Last week we presented a list of must-visit sneaker stores all across California and this time around we’re tackling the concrete jungle…New York City! Whether you’ve been a dozen of times already or just planning your first trip to the Big Apple, this reference guide is meant to help you seek out the top sneaker locations you should know about and try to visit. Hopefully you’ll have more than one day to look around because there’s a lot to see and some storied shops we’re sure you have always dreamed of shopping in.

Click on each thumbnail displayed above the main picture to browse through the shops highlighted!

21 Mercer

Even if you have never been, you’ve caught 21 Mercer on your favorite sneaker blog thanks to insane lines for great releases. One of the best spots in NY with the hottest Nike releases and Quickstrikes, the Bespoke AF1 experience is a must if you’re looking for a pair of customs straight from The Swoosh. It’s always a fresh experience, live from the Mercer.

adidas Originals

adidas Originals has been keeping it classic for a few decades but the past few years the brand has really pushed things to another level, challenging other brands with new colorways and designs to its lifestyle and skateboarding lines. The whole front of the adidas Originals SoHo shop is garage doors, so on perfect NYC days, it’s like shopping outdoors.

Alumni

Formerly Rugged Sole, Alumni champions itself in having great styles and selections and is another store that is a little more upscale but still keeps it street. You can find the latest options from Nike, Vans and adidas Originals, as well as selections from Red Wing.

atmos

Taking things from the Far East to the East Coast, Japan’s atmos put up a shop in the heart of Harlem, offering customers the best Jordan releases, limited Nike releases, and hard-to-find adidas Originals (atmos is the spot to go for Jeremy Scott collabs uptown), not to mention complementary gear. Everything good isn’t always downtown.

Blades

With two locations in the city, Blades is one of the hottest skate shops carrying the latest Nike SB Quickstrike’s and streetwear goods so you can kick and push in the dopest styles. They also stock the latest offerings from Vans, as well as a wide array of different skate shoe brands.

Central Sports

You may not find all the crazy hyped Saturday releases here but if you are trying to find something clean or maybe a slept-on classic, this is one of the best spots to hit and one you may not think of. Central Sports carries a lot of different brands too from Nike, Jordan and adidas to the latest Nike SB drops.

DQM

DQM has been holding it down for quite some time now, doing collabs with the likes of Nike, adidas and Vans. The original shop on East 3rd is still going strong with product from Vans, Nike SB, adidas and HUF.

Flight Club

Even if you’ve never made a trip to the city that never sleeps, you know about Flight Club. Yeah, the consignment shop prices might seem like a bit much for the Kicks Deal-savvy types that troll the internets for great prices, but when it comes to the reassurance that you are getting a legit product in great condition that hasn’t been on retail shelves for a minute, Flight Club.

The General (Vans DQM)

Opening up just a couple years ago in the fall of 2011, The General is an all-Vans outfit from the DQM team. Featuring a ton of options from all the different lines – Vault, California Collection, etc. – and boasting clothing selections as well, The General is a must visit for any big Vans fan. The aesthetic appeal of the shop is terrific and if you time it right, maybe you can be around to catch an exclusive collab available.

Goliath

With its doors open now for almost a decade, Goliath RF is a detailed-designed sneaker boutique carrying the likes of Reebok, Nike, New Balance and Timberland. You can also find the racks and shelves lined with the latest offerings from the hottest streetwear brands.

House of Hoops - Harlem

Harlem World has been holding down the sneaker game since the beginning. You can’t even rep the borough without rocking some fly kicks. Lucky for you there is a House of Hoops in the neighborhood to keep you laced and looking fresh.

House of Hoops - Manhattan

The Manhattan location opened up in 2011 and has been poppin’ ever since. The perks – they receive some limited quantities of Jordans and other Nike’s (including the LeBron X Championship Pack) that other sneaker shops never get. The downside – there is a million NYC “sneakerheads” that didn’t even know Ewing had his own brand but still need the latest “hot” release.

Kith - Brooklyn

Brooklyn’s in the house. Fieg’s takeover was two spots in The Big Apple, dominating the city in a way very few can. The Manhattan spot and BK representation keep spreading his name and collabs to NYC and worldwide.

Kith - Manhattan

After building in the game for over a decade with David Z., it was time for Ronnie Fieg to do his own thing. Slaying web servers in the matter of minutes with his ASICS and Sebago collabs, Fieg started his Kith and Kin crew and stores that featured as much aesthetic value with the decor as with the sneakers – Manhattan style to the fullest.

Michael K.

If you’re making the rounds in SoHo with some spending money in your pocket, Michael K. is worth a visit as they boast a large selection of brands and a lot of variety.

452 Broadway
New York, NY 10012

Phone: 212-334-9088

Niketown

It doesn’t get much better than Niketown – it’s like the Nike Store online, but in real life! The massive store features sneakers for every situation or sport you might find yourself getting into, not to mention the dope limited drops and apparel for chilling or hooping at the park. Nice location, too – if you buy runners, you can head right into Central Park.

Premium Laces

Keeping it clean and simple, Premium Laces has a steady rotation of great Vans, New Balance and Supra releases, as well as other classics to prevent you from going full hypebeast. Don’t sleep though as Nike and Jordan options line the shelves too.

Reed Space

While Reed Space is definitely your go-to to cop the latest Staple goods and a terrific selection of streetwear and sneaker-related publications, you can also find a very nice selection of kicks from brands such as New Balance, Vans, Pointer, HUF, adidas Originals and Converse just to name a few. One stop at Reed and you’re sure to lace your look from head to toe.

Rime

If the shoe looks awesome on foot then Rime probably has them in stock, or did at one point. In business since 2007, the store stocks up some of the best lifestyle and retro kicks that should garner you more than a few IG likes. And we’re talking the latest drops from Nike, Ewing Athletics, New Balance, adidas Originals and plenty more.

The Rivington Club

One of the best upscale sneaker shopping experiences downtown, ALIFE’s Rivington Club should be a model for other stores. Once the place to for the hottest Nike’s, now they stock primarily grown-man material like ALIFE’s own line and shoes from Pointer. There’s still no sign, and you’ll need to ring the bell to be allowed in. Very Rare.

Supreme

When it comes to streetwear brands collaborating with sneaker companies, no one is really messing with Supreme – anything they put out is shutting the block down in the matter of minutes. Bring a chair, you might need it.

West 147

When a store gets a collaboration with a brand like New Balance it usually means that they are ringing out in the streets. West 147 has been the slanging crack on the Upper est Side for years and doesn’t seem to be having any issues clearing the shelves.